09072: Securing the future of the Karakamia woylies

Karakamia is a haven for threatened wildlife, particularly the
critically endangered woylie, whose numbers have plummeted
throughout southern Australia.

The population at Karakamia is the only one in the south-west
not currently in decline. A 2.4 m high electric fence has excluded
feral predators such as foxes and cats from Karakamia since 1994,
allowing native animals to thrive inside.

With the help of funding from the State NRM Program, the base of
the electric fence was fortified in 2010 to reduce potential for
burrowing, significantly enhancing its ability to withstand fox and
cat incursions.

Extensive earthworks were also carried out both inside and
outside the fence to reduce ongoing maintenance requirements and
promote easier monitoring of the condition of the fence.